In addition to boosting our tourism economy, the TOT for “Jobs, Streets and People” measure would generate $150 million for road repairs and $150 million to reduce homelessness – in year one alone.

SAN DIEGO (May 30, 2017) — A poll of San Diego voters shows there is strong support for a ballot measure to modernize and expand the convention center, while also funding road repairs and homelessness programs.

​The poll, conducted in March 2017, found two-thirds of those likely to vote in a special election would support the plan to raise the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) – the visitor tax that overnight guests pay in San Diego – by up to 3 percent to upgrade and expand the convention center, fix our streets, reduce homelessness and bring more jobs to San Diego.

Just a few days after dropping his bombshell resignation from the San Diego Port Commission, Bob Nelson had his personal trainer in mind while pondering breakfast options at Hob Nob Hill in Bankers Hill.

“I find it somewhat amusing that the place you choose is probably the biggest symbol of The Establishment that I could imagine,” Nelson told Spin about the restaurant selection. “I love it.”

Nelson decided to go with two pork chops “cooked to the minimum level law allows,” two eggs over easy, wheat toast and a fruit cup. “I need all the protein I can get,” he explained. “But as I think about it, my trainer probably won’t like it.”

​No doubt about it, the Port Commission has lost perhaps its most articulate, most outspoken member, particularly on the subject of expanding the San Diego Convention Center, which he wholeheartedly endorses.

Haney Hong, President and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, released the following statement today:

“SDCTA opposes Assembly Bill 805 because it eliminates the need for consensus among the elected leaders who help govern the region’s three transportation agencies. Under the proposed legislation, any regional transportation decision could be made by a weighted vote if one is requested by only a handful of the governing agencies who sit on the Boards of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD). This would greatly concentrate the voting power among the most populous cities in San Diego County, which would compromise the democratic and deliberative process necessary to adequately address the transportation needs of all taxpayers throughout the region.

SAN DIEGO (May 18, 2017) — San Diego tourism and lodging leaders said today they strongly support an increase of up to three percent to the transient occupancy tax (TOT) to modernize and expand the San Diego Convention Center, repair city streets and reduce homelessness.

​The “TOT for Jobs, Streets & People” plan would raise the TOT, or visitor tax, three percent for downtown lodging facilities, two percent for those on the periphery of downtown and one percent for facilities located elsewhere in the city. Tourism leaders are spearheading the effort because it would boost San Diego’s tourism economy, create thousands of jobs, repair roads and reduce homelessness. It also would add millions of dollars to the city’s General Fund, which pays for neighborhood services.

San Diego tourism and lodging leaders said Thursday they strongly support an increase of up to three percent to the transient occupancy tax (TOT) to modernize and expand the San Diego Convention Center, repair city streets and reduce homelessness.

​The "TOT for Jobs, Streets & People" plan would raise the TOT, or visitor tax, three percent for downtown lodging facilities, two percent for those on the periphery of downtown and one percent for facilities located elsewhere in the city. Tourism leaders are spearheading the effort because it would boost San Diego's tourism economy, create thousands of jobs, repair roads and reduce homelessness. It also would add millions of dollars to the city's General Fund, which pays for neighborhood services.

Longtime public relations executive Bob Nelson is stepping down as a Port of San Diego commissioner, citing conflicts with his new business partnership and an interest in promoting an upcoming convention center expansion ballot measure.

​Nelson has served since 2011 on the commission that administers waterfront land in San Diego, Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City. He confirmed his departure to The San Diego Union-Tribune hours ahead of today’s board meeting, to be effective immediately following adjournment.

Community HousingWorks ranks 33rd on AHF’s list of Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers

San Diego (May 3, 2017) – Community HousingWorks has been named one of Affordable Housing Finance magazine’s Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers, coming in 33rd overall and 6th among non-profit developers.

Rankings are based on the number of new affordable housing units that developers started construction on in 2016.

​In 2016, Community HousingWorks began construction on 306 affordable apartments, including two senior housing communities, and completed 109. The nonprofit housing developer plans to complete an additional 2,000 units by 2020, bringing the number of residents served in San Diego and across California to roughly 15,000.

SAN DIEGO (May 1, 2017) — On Thursday, April 27, the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR) held its annual expo and conference at the San Diego Convention Center, drawing more than 2,500 realtors and other industry professionals.

The event, which is the largest of its kind in San Diego County, provided participants with a more personalized experience this year by offering panels corresponding to three distinct tracks: Agent, Broker and Tech.